Monday, May 24, 2010

The Desk…Finally!

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Oh Happy Day! The desk is finally finished!

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BEFORE AFTER

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It was a proud and happy day when I dragged this desk home with me from Goodwill several weeks ago.

I removed the dated hardware, scrubbed it up and gave it a spray painted coat of primer. I let it dry in the sun for several hours. A few days later, I gave it a coat of latex white satin finish paint…with a paint brush. And let it dry for many more days. I wanted it to “cure”. I only sanded it in the areas I wanted it to look “distressed”.

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Then I wiped on some Minwax “Provincial” wood stain and quickly wiped it off. I tried to work it into any nicks or crevices along the way. And I let it dry for several more days. My plan was to take furniture wax and rub it into the entire desk and then buff it off just like I saw it done on a blog post by Cindy over at My Romantic Home. This girl knows what she is doing! Anyway, I started to apply the paste wax to the desk and I saw that it was removing the wood stain I had applied over the white paint! So I immediately stopped, touch up the stained spot with the old stain rag that I used and let it dry for several more days. I was gun shy after that so instead of going the paste wax route, I applied a coat of clear poly. Because, I was tired of waiting and it was time to get it done!! The poly coat dried in a day. :)

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Next I added the new hardware that my daughter picked out.

It was starting to look like a real piece of furniture now!

See all the distressed marks?

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Oakley supervises all home improvement activities at our house.

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So much fresher and cleaner.

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I lined the drawers with some decorative papers that we tacked down with a little bit of tape.

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BEFORE AFTER

This desk is leaving for Chapel Hill later this week. I’ll be sure to take a picture of it in it’s final destination in my daughter’s new apartment. And my husband is delighted because he thinks he is getting his garage back. Ha! That’s what he thinks. I have a few more projects to tackle before that happens. :)

I am linking up to Nifty Thrifty Tuesday over at Coastal Charm. Amazing bargains were had this past week! Stop by to see them all.

I am also linking up with Maryann's Power of Paint Party over at Domestically Speaking. Impressive makeovers to be seen here!!


24 comments:

Karen said...

You're such a good Mommy! The finish on the desk is so pretty. Doesn't it feel great when a project turns out so well?!!

The Painted Home said...

adorable! (i have a nephew at chapel Hill)

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Ha! He "thinks he's getting his garage back" ~ foolish man! : ) The desk turned out great, Lisa. I love the white and the stain used to age it. Love the handles, too. My son wants to get a desk in his room; maybe I'll get lucky and find one at GW or the thrift store!

Anonymous said...

Such a lot of work for you. BUT, it sure looks nice now!! Hope she enjoys using this precious piece of furniture. *smiles*

DI

www.thewhitefarmhouse2.blogspot.com said...

The desk looks fabulous! Great job! I used that same hardware on the furniture in my girls room. I love it. It's very pretty.

Linda@Coastal Charm said...

Awesome makeover...love her handles!

Blessings,
Linda

Karen said...

Looks great, Lisa! You're amazing! Poor Jim--he'll never get that garage back! He may as well just build an addition! LOL!

Chelsea@ThisFreshFossil said...

Oh, I love it! And those handles are darling. :)

~Chelsea

Cathy~Mille Fleur said...

Oh so pretty! I love it! Well done!

Enjoy!
Cathy

micah said...

it looks FABULOUS!!! love the hardware!

Melanie said...

You did a great job. I love the creamy color with the glaze. (or brown stain) I know that your daughter is happy with it. Don't forget the picture when you get it to the apartment.

CosmoGirl Carla said...

Fabulous, Lisa! You should be proud. Great job :o)

KimMalk said...

I absolutely love the handles you found, too.

Anonymous said...

It looks fantastic! Your daughter is going to treasure it for years to come :)

Great hardware too btw!

Linda@Coastal Charm said...

Thanks for coming to my party...hope you are having a FUN time here!

Blessings,
Linda

Decor To Adore said...

Oh this turned out so beautifully!

Donna said...

Hi Lisa! just stopped by and I really enjoyed your blog! I'm a follower now! Have a great day! Donna...the 3rd sister.

Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal said...

This really looks great! Has just the right amount of distressing. Love the new handles too. Updates it a lot.

Rose @ Confessions of a Curbshopaholic said...

I love the fresh new look you gave this desk. It's amazing what some paint and new hardware can do.
Nice Job! Stopping by from nifty thrifty Tuesday.
Rose

Joyce said...

Good job on the desk for your daughter. I had to laugh when you said your husband thinks he is getting his garage back now:-)
Joyce

Kacey said...

It's a very fresh and lovely transformation! Your daughter is a lucky girl.

Kacey

Acanthus and Acorn said...

Really fantastic job on the desk!!!
And, I love your pooch...we have a golden too...the best dogs!

Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia said...

Hi! Just wanted to drop by and say thanks for stopping by my blog, it's great to meet you! I'm really enjoying your blog, that desk transformation is amazing! Oh and I love the shoes and purse on your other post! Have a great week!
Kristin

Unknown said...

just ran across your blog from mannland's GTKY! So glad I saw this post--I am about to tackle on trying to convert a old chest of drawers and this gave me some good ideas! LOVE the decorated paper you taped in the drawers! I will def be stealing that idea (It's def. a form of flattery, right?) All of the shelf liner found is so not cute! :)